A Different Kind of Truth is the 12th studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen, which was released on February 7, 2012 through Interscope Records. It is the band's first album of completely new material since 1998's Van Halen III, as well as the first since 1984's 1984 to feature David Lee Roth on lead vocals, and the first to feature Wolfgang Van Halen on bass guitar. It is also Van Halen's first album on their new label Interscope Records. Some of the songs are based on demos and unrecorded lyrics done by the band in the 1970's. Read more on Last.fm.
“Tattoo, tattoo; sexy dragon magic. Tattoo, tattoo; so very autobiographic” is the real, actual hook on this album’s first track. Forgiving that that line came from an actual human brain because it’s that of DLR, as Truth wears on, it becomes apparent that he’s either descended to Wiseau-esque self-parody or has just aged God-awfully. Worse, EVH’s tone lacks all the signature cut-through needed to marry the 1978 attitude he’s trying to recapture. The mix is muddy, middling, and grossly flat. The “classic VH” party vibe sounds deliberate, forced, and contrived. The “oomph” isn’t there! Regardless, it all sounds like exactly what you’d expect an old guy in full Ed Hardy getup to get really pumped about. At least Van Hagar had the maturity and dignity to try to evolve; here, we’re watching full-on three-quarter-life crisis unfold. If you like Van Halen, spare yourself their pitiful hour-plus memorial rites. I have to turn it off now; I’m cringing myself to death.
28 years of waiting is over. David Lee Roth, perhaps rock n’rolls greatest showman, has returned to the unstable Van Halen camp. With Sammy Hagar, thankfully, out of the picture, the boys convened, sans Mike Anthony and plus Wolfgang Van Halen, to craft a return to form.
That’s what they promised and……surprise…that’s exactly what A Different Kind Of Truth is, a big, fast rock n’roll slice of 1978. There’s a reason for that too. The tunes presented here were put together mostly from some old demos that VH never used way back in the day. The result is a time capsule of everything that made Van Halen great…..Eddie’s virtuoso chops, David Lee Roth’s limited but quirky croon, and Alex Van Halen’s rather thunderous drum sound. It all comes together like the perfect Christmas gift, 12 mostly fast, hedonistic tunes that don’t even remotely touch on getting older and wiser. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
In a time when politics are cut throat and people are on edge, its a welcome respite to see good ole’ Diamond Dave bringing the party back.